Chapter XLIX · CONCLUSION.

The wondering Indians allowed the White Antelope and Long Hair to pass. Inside the teepee an old woman kept watch and guard. A figure lay upon a heap of furs. It moved as the scout entered, raised on its elbow, and a weak voice exclaimed:

“By the nine gods of war! Thanks be it’s you, Cody! I thought you’d never come, though this dear girl here swore you would, as you had promised her.”

To see one whom we believe dead—aye, have seen lying stark on the field of battle and believe to have been buried there—rise up suddenly and confront us is indeed a shock. Buffalo Bill fell back a step, exclaiming:

“Dick Danforth!”

“’Tis I, old faithful! Thanks to this girl—who is the whitest Injun God ever made—I am alive, the sole survivor of my unfortunate party.”

“Dick, I saw you lying on the field of battle,” declared the scout, taking his hand. “How came you here?”

“She brought me back to life. She found there was life in me. I had got a terrible crack on the head. She and the old woman brought me here, and I have been hidden in this teepee ever since. I’m a whole lot better now, Cody. I believe I could ride a horse.”

“And the White Antelope has cared for you?” cried the scout.

“She has, indeed.” Then the young man whispered: “Isn’t she beautiful? And how glad I am, old man, that you stayed my hand that day when I would have murdered her!”

“Ho, ho!” muttered the scout. “Sets the wind in that quarter? I must tell you two young people something before more mischief be done.”

He seized the girl’s hand and drew her forward to the side of Danforth’s couch.

“White Antelope,” he said in English, “do you remember that I told you once I knew your mother?”

She nodded, watching him with bright eyes.

“She was a lovely woman. She was a white woman. It was true she was Oak Heart’s wife, but she had been espoused before by a good and great white man. He was killed by Oak Heart’s people, and for a time your mother was stricken by the mercy of the Great Spirit with forgetfulness.

“When she came to herself she believed that her husband and her son were dead. She became Oak Heart’s squaw. But her son was not dead. I had saved him from the Indians, and he lived to grow up——”

Danforth raised himself up with a great cry.

“You do not mean it! It is impossible!” he cried. “This girl——?”

“Is your sister. White Antelope, this young man is your elder brother—and a mighty fine fellow you’ll find him. Your mother was the finest woman I ever knew, and your father, Dick—God help him!—was once the finest fellow in the world!”

The scout choked and was silent. He was thinking of that awful, convulsed face of the Mad Hunter as he fell backward from the summit of the bluff, with Texas Jack’s bullet in his brain!

“He—he is my brother?” murmured the girl, her eyes shining.

“That’s what he is,” said the scout, recovering himself and speaking heartily.

She went to Danforth and put both her hands in his. The young fellow suddenly pulled her down to him and kissed her on the lips.

“That’s the way white brothers and sisters greet each other,” he said, with a weak laugh. “When can you get us away from this camp, Cody?”

That was a question easier to be asked than answered. But the excitement over the letting of Cody himself go free aided them in their attempt. The chiefs were murmuring against the decision of Oak Heart. The old man was fighting for his supremacy as head chief of the tribe. He could not even see the White Antelope, and shut her out of his lodge.

This piqued the wayward girl. She was the more ready to go with her new-found brother, as he was ill and needed her. But she only agreed to go with him to Fort Resistence and then directly return. But Dick Danforth said confidently:

“Let me once get her away from the influence of these bloody redskins, and I’ll wean her away from them. I know what will please a young girl like her. I’ll take her to San Francisco, Bill. Thanks to you, I’ve some property of my own left of my poor father’s estate. And isn’t she a beauty! Won’t she make ’em sit up and take notice at the Bay?”

Under cover of the night the scout and the Indian maid helped the wounded Danforth upon a horse, and the three wended their way from the encampment. They were not followed—or, at least, were not overtaken—until they reached Captain Keyes’ command. Then they were hurried on under an escort to Resistence. White Antelope made no objection to going, her brother was so weak and needed her so much.

Indeed, the wily young fellow remained an invalid so long that his sister became half-reconciled to civilized clothing and to white people before they took the long journey to San Francisco, where Dick went to spend the furlough allowed him by the department.

The scene changes once more to Fort Advance, some days after that on which Buffalo Bill, the Border King, had set out on his dangerous mission to the village of the Sioux. It is a little past sunrise, and a horseman is descried taking the trail from the cañon toward the fort. He is mounted on a great white charger that comes like the wind.

The rider looks pale and jaded, and his buckskin attire has seen hard usage. But he is recognized by the sentinel over the gate, and his cry is repeated about the fort:

“Here comes Buffalo Bill, the King of the Border!”

Waving his battered hat in response to the shout, Buffalo Bill rides straight to the open gate, enters, and dismounts before Major Baldwin’s door. An orderly seizes his bridle-rein, and the major comes forth and grasps the scout’s hand with the words:

“Thanks be to God for seeing you again alive, Cody! When Keyes told me you were safe, I felt like ordering a feast to celebrate the occasion. And they say the Sioux are ready for peace?”

“I believe they are. Oak Heart has pretty much lost his grip on the tribe, and is an outcast. But the new powers-that-be have seen the fallacy of trying issues again with us.”

“We certainly believed you dead one while, Cody.”

“And it was a close shave not to be this time, sir.”

“You have won out as usual, Bill, with flying colors.”

“Yes, Major Baldwin. I went to Oak Heart’s village with the firm determination to get Boyd Bennett if it cost me my life. That scoundrel had been a thorn in my side too long. I got him. He’s dead. He’ll do no more harm this side of the Great Divide!”

“A good piece of work, Cody. And I understand that old maniac, the Mad Hunter, who attacked Keyes, is dead, too?”

“That is so. But I am sorry for his end. I tell you in confidence, major, that the man was Dick Danforth’s father—though I never suspected it until I saw his face close to. The Indians were supposed to have cracked him on the head and flung him into the river years ago. The crack on the head was sure enough. But he wasn’t drowned. His end has come now, poor fellow.”

“And Dick wonderfully saved!”

“He is, indeed—and has found a sister.”

“Ah, Cody! That was a joker you kept up your sleeve a long time,” said the major.

“True. I knew the boy’s hatred for all savages. I did not know about his poor mother and this girl until I had really instilled some of the boy’s hatred into his mind myself. I feared for him to know the truth. Yet I wanted to save her from the savages. Providence performed what I could not.”

“True.... But those scalp-locks, Cody?” asked Major Baldwin, pointing to the string of ghastly trophies hanging from the scout’s belt.

“Oh, those are the roofs of the braves who tried to raise my hair. I intended to have a rope made of them to hang Boyd Bennett with, but I’ll have them made into a bridle for you, instead, major.”

“All right, scout. Thank you for the gift. And now you are free. Report to me in full when you have rested,” and with another hand-clasp the major let him go.

Many other hands were waiting to clasp that of the Border King. It was some time before he could break away and find Texas Jack in the scouts’ quarters.

But times of rest were few and far between for these hardy men of the frontier. One tribe of red men were scarcely subjugated for the time when another would rise up to kill and slay. It was not long before Buffalo Bill was performing more daring deeds to add to his fame upon the border.

THE END.

Say, Boys!

How’d you like to own your own bronc’? How’d you like to be an expert at lassoing and branding? How’d you like to ride the rolling prairies in search of lost stock, and perhaps have an adventure or two with certain bad men who did not like you because you were on the side of law and order? How would you like it?

Well, we all cannot go west and be cowboys, but we sure can pay 15 cents for the stories in the Western Story Library, and find a good, comfortable spot, and immediately imagine ourselves riding with Ted Strong and his broncho boys, sharing their adventures, their hardships and pleasures.

Ted Strong and his pals are lovable fellows—every one of them, and you will do well to make comrades of them.

Ask your dealer to show you a copy of the Western Story Library.

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WESTERN STORIES ABOUT BUFFALO BILL

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Red-blooded Adventure Stories for Men

There is no more romantic character in American history than William F. Cody, or as he was internationally known, Buffalo Bill. He, with Colonel Prentiss Ingraham, Wild Bill Hickok, General Custer, and a few other adventurous spirits, laid the foundation of our great West.

There is no more brilliant page in American history than the winning of the West. Never did pioneers live more thrilling lives, so rife with adventure and brave deeds as the old scouts and plainsmen. Foremost among these stands the imposing figure of Buffalo Bill.

All of the books in this list are intensely interesting. They were written by the close friend and companion of Buffalo Bill—Colonel Prentiss Ingraham. They depict actual adventures which this pair of hard-hitting comrades experienced, while the story of these adventures is interwoven with fiction; historically the books are correct.

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1—Buffalo Bill, the Border KingBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

2—Buffalo Bill’s RaidBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

3—Buffalo Bill’s BraveryBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

4—Buffalo Bill’s Trump CardBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

5—Buffalo Bill’s PledgeBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

6—Buffalo Bill’s VengeanceBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

7—Buffalo Bill’s Iron GripBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

8—Buffalo Bill’s CaptureBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

9—Buffalo Bill’s Danger LineBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

10—Buffalo Bill’s ComradesBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

11—Buffalo Bill’s ReckoningBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

12—Buffalo Bill’s WarningBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

13—Buffalo Bill at BayBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

14—Buffalo Bill’s Buckskin PardsBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

15—Buffalo Bill’s BrandBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

16—Buffalo Bill’s HonorBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

17—Buffalo Bill’s Phantom HuntBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

18—Buffalo Bill’s Fight With FireBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

19—Buffalo Bill’s Danite TrailBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

20—Buffalo Bill’s Ranch RidersBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

21—Buffalo Bill’s Death TrailBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

22—Buffalo Bill’s TrackersBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

23—Buffalo Bill’s Mid-air FlightBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

24—Buffalo Bill, AmbassadorBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

25—Buffalo Bill’s Air VoyageBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

26—Buffalo Bill’s Secret MissionBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

27—Buffalo Bill’s Long TrailBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

28—Buffalo Bill Against OddsBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

29—Buffalo Bill’s Hot ChaseBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

30—Buffalo Bill’s Redskin AllyBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

31—Buffalo Bill’s Treasure TroveBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

32—Buffalo Bill’s Hidden FoesBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

33—Buffalo Bill’s Crack ShotBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

34—Buffalo Bill’s Close CallBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

35—Buffalo Bill’s Double SurpriseBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

36—Buffalo Bill’s AmbushBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

37—Buffalo Bill’s Outlaw HuntBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

38—Buffalo Bill’s Border DuelBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

39—Buffalo Bill’s Bid for FameBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

40—Buffalo Bill’s TriumphBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

41—Buffalo Bill’s Spy TrailerBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

42—Buffalo Bill’s Death CallBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

43—Buffalo Bill’s Body GuardBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

44—Buffalo Bill’s Still HuntBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

45—Buffalo Bill and the Doomed DozenBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

46—Buffalo Bill’s Prairie ScoutBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

47—Buffalo Bill’s Traitor GuideBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

48—Buffalo Bill’s BonanzaBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

49—Buffalo Bill’s SwoopBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

50—Buffalo Bill and the Gold KingBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

51—Buffalo Bill, DeadshotBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

52—Buffalo Bill’s Buckskin BravosBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

53—Buffalo Bill’s Big FourBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

54—Buffalo Bill’s One-armed PardBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

55—Buffalo Bill’s Race for LifeBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

56—Buffalo Bill’s ReturnBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

57—Buffalo Bill’s ConquestBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

58—Buffalo Bill to the RescueBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

59—Buffalo Bill’s Beautiful FoeBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

60—Buffalo Bill’s Perilous TaskBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

61—Buffalo Bill’s Queer FindBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

62—Buffalo Bill’s Blind LeadBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

63—Buffalo Bill’s ResolutionBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

64—Buffalo Bill, the AvengerBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

65—Buffalo Bill’s Pledged PardBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

66—Buffalo Bill’s Weird WarningBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

67—Buffalo Bill’s Wild RideBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

68—Buffalo Bill’s Redskin StampedeBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

69—Buffalo Bill’s Mine MysteryBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

70—Buffalo Bill’s Gold HuntBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

71—Buffalo Bill’s Daring DashBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

72—Buffalo Bill on HandBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

73—Buffalo Bill’s AllianceBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

74—Buffalo Bill’s Relentless FoeBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

75—Buffalo Bill’s Midnight RideBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

76—Buffalo Bill’s ChivalryBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

77—Buffalo Bill’s Girl PardBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

78—Buffalo Bill’s Private WarBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

79—Buffalo Bill’s Diamond MineBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

80—Buffalo Bill’s Big ContractBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

81—Buffalo Bill’s Woman FoeBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

82—Buffalo Bill’s RuseBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

83—Buffalo Bill’s PursuitBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

84—Buffalo Bill’s Hidden GoldBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

85—Buffalo Bill in Mid-airBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

86—Buffalo Bill’s Queer MissionBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

87—Buffalo Bill’s VerdictBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

88—Buffalo Bill’s OrdealBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

89—Buffalo Bill’s Camp FiresBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

90—Buffalo Bill’s Iron NerveBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

91—Buffalo Bill’s RivalBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

92—Buffalo Bill’s Lone HandBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

93—Buffalo Bill’s SacrificeBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

94—Buffalo Bill’s ThunderboltBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

95—Buffalo Bill’s Black FortuneBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

96—Buffalo Bill’s Wild WorkBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

97—Buffalo Bill’s Yellow TrailBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

98—Buffalo Bill’s Treasure TrainBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

99—Buffalo Bill’s Bowie DuelBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

100—Buffalo Bill’s Mystery ManBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

101—Buffalo Bill’s Bold PlayBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

102—Buffalo Bill: PeacemakerBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

103—Buffalo Bill’s Big SurpriseBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

104—Buffalo Bill’s BarricadeBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

105—Buffalo Bill’s TestBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

106—Buffalo Bill’s PowwowBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

107—Buffalo Bill’s Stern JusticeBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

108—Buffalo Bill’s Mysterious FriendBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

109—Buffalo Bill and the BoomersBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

110—Buffalo Bill’s Panther FightBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

111—Buffalo Bill and the Overland MailBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

112—Buffalo Bill on the Deadwood TrailBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

113—Buffalo Bill in Apache LandBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

114—Buffalo Bill’s Blindfold DuelBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

115—Buffalo Bill and the Lone CamperBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

116—Buffalo Bill’s Merry WarBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

117—Buffalo Bill’s Star PlayBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

118—Buffalo Bill’s War CryBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

119—Buffalo Bill on Black Panther’s TrailBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

120—Buffalo Bill’s Slim ChanceBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

121—Buffalo Bill BesiegedBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

122—Buffalo Bill’s Bandit Round-upBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

123—Buffalo Bill’s Surprise PartyBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

124—Buffalo Bill’s Lightning RaidBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

125—Buffalo Bill in MexicoBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

126—Buffalo Bill’s Traitor FoeBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

127—Buffalo Bill’s Tireless ChaseBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

128—Buffalo Bill’s Boy BuglerBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

129—Buffalo Bill’s Sure GuessBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

130—Buffalo Bill’s Record JumpBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

131—Buffalo Bill in the Land of DreadBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

132—Buffalo Bill’s Tangled ClueBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

133—Buffalo Bill’s Wolf SkinBy Col. Prentiss Ingraham

Adventure Stories Detective Stories Western Stories Love Stories Sea Stories

All classes of fiction are to be found among the Street & Smith novels. Our line contains reading matter for every one, irrespective of age or preference.

The person who has only a moderate sum to spend on reading matter will find this line a veritable gold mine.

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